Massive new development eyed for Muskoka Centre Property

After years of inactivity, a new development proposal has emerged for the former Muskoka Centre property located in Gravenhurst.

Earlier this week, a developer announced plans for a virtual public information session scheduled for May 27 to outline plans for the property.

The proposal, titled the “Cliff Bay Master Plan,” outlines a comprehensive redevelopment of the site. Features planned include several hotels, with one rising to six stories and another to five stories, as well as multiple restaurants, an event space, branded residences, and a spa.

The development company involved is Cliff Bay Muskoka Corporation, part of the KS Group of Companies.

In 2020, Cliff Bay initially revealed ambitions to transform the 70-acre Muskoka Regional Centre property into a Scandinavian spa development. At that time, developers projected that the project would unfold over three stages within a two to three year timeframe, costing up to $250 million.

Currently, the property is owned by Infrastructure Ontario and has remained vacant for the past three decades. In May 2024, Infrastructure Ontario confirmed that a preferred proponent for the Muskoka Regional Centre had been selected but withheld details regarding the identity of that proponent.

Gravenhurst Mayor Heidi Lorenz addressed the proposal during the latest council meeting.

“There’s been some momentum on the sale of the Muskoka Regional Centre lands by the province,” Lorenz noted. “We understand that notice is being distributed for a privately initiated open house by the developer this month. To clarify, this is not a Town public meeting or open house.”

She indicated that the project will likely require a unique zoning process through the Ontario government. “We envision this topic appearing before the council in the near future,” she added.

Doppler has reached out to both the developer and Infrastructure Ontario for further comments and will provide updates accordingly.

The property was originally opened as the Muskoka Cottage Sanatorium in 1897. In 1960 the Province of Ontario transitioned the site to a housing and care facility for developmentally challenged individuals before it ultimately closed in 1994. It has stood vacant ever since.

The property was nearly sold to Maple Leaf Education System but the deal ultimately broke down in June of 2019.